John Kuntz / The Plain DealerCorey Williams put the heat on Buffalo's Trent Edwards in the Browns' victory early in the 2009 season, but the lineman has seldom seemed comfortable in Cleveland and could be trade fodder as the draft approaches, says Terry Pluto.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's Sunday, so it's time to do some talkin' ...

About the Browns' draft

1. Geoff Beckman of North Olmsted e-mailed about my idea of sending a second-rounder to Philadelphia for Donovan McNabb. He first mentioned that Kevin Kolb, the quarterback who is making the Eagles think about trading McNabb, was taken in the second round by current Browns General Manager Tom Heckert. But get this: The Kolb pick first belonged to the Browns, who traded it to Dallas in the Brady Quinn deal. Then the Cowboys shipped it to the Eagles in another trade.

2. In 2008, the Browns sent a second-round pick to Green Bay for Corey Williams, who never could adjust from the Packers' 4-3 defense to the 3-4 run by the Browns. He had 7.0 sacks in each of the two years before the deal, but had only 0.5 in 2008. Last season was somewhat better with 4.0, two against the Steelers. But the Browns would still like to trade Williams, who has a stunning contract: $5.9 million in 2010, $4.9 million in 2011, $4.9 million in 2012, $5.4 million in 2013. His salary-cap figure for 2010 is $8.2 million. Not all of it is guaranteed, but the salary-cap hit is huge.

3. The second round has been a big problem since the team returned in 1999. From 1999 to 2002, the Browns took four receivers in a row: Kevin Johnson, Dennis Northcutt, Quincy Morgan and Andre' Davis. Only Johnson was worthy of being picked that high. Then add in two more second-round receivers in 2009, Mohammed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie. So that's six receivers out of 12 total second-round picks for the Browns since 1999!

4. In 2003, Butch Davis delivered linebacker Chaun Thompson in the second round. Most believed he was a fourth-round or lower talent, and he played like it. In 2004, Davis picked Sean Jones, a so-so safety. In 2005, Phil Savage took a safety that he hoped would be better than Jones, but Brodney Pool has been sidetracked by concussions and inconsistent performances. Savage's biggest mistake in this second-round area was the Williams trade.

5. Savage did pick linebacker D'Qwell Jackson in 2006 and cornerback Eric Wright in 2007, and they are legitimate starters. Eric Mangini's three second-rounders are David Veikune, Robiskie and Massaquoi, with Massaquoi being the only one to make any impact. The Browns' second-rounder this season is the 39th pick.

6. Here is a list of Heckert's recent second-round picks in Philly: 2009: RB LeSean McCoy (637 yards, 4.1 yards per carry as a rookie). 2008: WR DeSean Jackson (made the Pro Bowl this year). 2007: Kolb. 2006: T Winston Justice (who sat behind three-time Pro Bowl player Shawn Andrews for three years, but started 16 games this year). Beckman's point is, "Why not let Heckert do his job?"

About the Browns

Tracy Boulian / The Plain DealerLawrence Vickers did a lot throughout the 2009 campaign to assure his role in the Browns' offense in 2010.1. The Browns believe the revival of the running game near the end of the season was due not only to Jerome Harrison, but the combination of Harrison and fullback Lawrence Vickers. On tape, the coaches saw that Vickers delivered punishing blocks to exactly the right defender at the right moment to spring Harrison, who then made the most of the openings. The point is the Browns have a halfback/fullback combination where both are 26 years old. Both are restricted free agents who are expected to re-sign with the Browns.

2. Vickers also dueled with coach Eric Mangini early in the season and saw his playing time cut. But he began to buy into Mangini's discipline and paid greater attention to the different blocking assignments. By the end of the season, the Browns believed Vickers was one of the best fullbacks in the NFL.

3. The Browns would like to add another running back via free agency or the draft. They are not sure what they have in James Davis or Chris Jennings, because both played so little. Yes, they showed some flashes of talent, but Harrison was hurt most of training camp and early in the regular season with a knee problem. Davis kept injuring his shoulder and required surgery. The Browns see a need for depth at the position.

4. According to Stats Inc., the Browns had three players in the Top 25 in dropped passes. Harrison, Chansi Stuckey and Mohammed Massaquoi each had seven. Tight end Robert Royal had six. The leaders were Kansas City's Dwayne Bowe and San Francisco's Vernon Davis with 11. You know they give the receivers the benefit of the doubt as Braylon Edwards was only credited with four this season.

5. An interesting Web site, profootballfocus.com, rates Joe Thomas as the top tackle in the NFL. The Browns' John St. Clair was rated the 33rd tackle. St. Clair was flagged for nine penalties and allowed seven sacks. For Thomas, it was three sacks and seven penalties.

6. Their guard ratings were almost shocking. Among the Browns, Rex Hadnot was the best at No. 17. Then came Hank Fraley at No. 31, Pork Chop Womack at No. 64 and Eric Steinbach at No. 83! According to the site, Steinbach allowed 21 quarterback pressures -- an extremely high total for a guard. Tackles usually give up more pressures because they usually line up against the best pass rushers. Thomas allowed nine, St. Clair 12. I find it hard to believe Steinbach was that bad.

7. The site rated the Jets' Nick Mangold as the top center, followed by former Brown Shaun O'Hara of the Giants. At No. 6 was Browns rookie Alex Mack, who allowed one sack and was flagged for only two penalties. Profootballfocus.com named him to its all-rookie team, explaining: "Mack looked every bit the talented player he was advertised as being. If centers were drafted high he should have gone in the top five."

About the Cavaliers

Tracy Boulian / The Plain DealerDaniel Gibson helped beat Oklahoma City with this clutch 3-pointer in the final seconds a week ago, and has done a good job filling in for the injured Mo Williams and Delonte West. 1. Daniel Gibson is averaging 12.8 points and shooting 45 percent in his four starts, taking over for the injured Mo Williams and Delonte West. The Cavs know Gibson is not a regular point guard. He is more in the model of Steve Kerr and John Paxson, a long-distance shooter who is best setting up behind the 3-point line and catching passes from someone else. But Gibson has only nine turnovers in those four games, averaging 37 minutes.

2. Gibson's solid performance has made it easier for the Cavs to wait for West and Williams to heal, rather than shop for a more-established point guard just for a few weeks. Gibson has only six assists, and does have some trouble against pressure defenses. But the blessing for coach Mike Brown is LeBron James is such a gifted ballhandler, he helps Gibson set up the offense.

3. Gibson lost his spot in the rotation, but stayed in shape. Before playing 146 minutes in the last four games as a starter, he had played only 104 minutes in the previous 10 games. Yet, he kept both his shooting touch and attitude in great condition, waiting for this chance.

4. While fans enjoy seeing J.J. Hickson score and dunk, the Cavs are pleased that he has improved his rebounding. In November, he averaged 3.8 rebounds. In December, it was 4.1. In January, it's 6.0 -- and he's played fewer minutes in January than in each of the first two months of the season.

5. Shaquille O'Neal keeps playing better each month. January has been his best so far, averaging 13.9 points and shooting 66 percent along with grabbing 5.8 rebounds in 23 minutes per game. By not playing the 37-year-old O'Neal big minutes, he should be fresh and effective in the playoffs. You can see how he does rise to a higher level against better teams such as the Lakers, Magic and Heat.

6. The Cavs lead the East with a healthy lead over Orlando, Boston and Atlanta. It helps Brown not wear out James and some other regulars as they wait for West and Williams to recover. Boston has problems with Kevin Garnett, whose right knee is still bothering him despite recently missing 11 games to rest it. Orlando finds it often plays better without Vince Carter (16 points, 39 percent shooting), but it's hard to keep him on the bench because he is supposed to be a star. Every Eastern team has some flaws and troubles.

7. I know that I'm getting spoiled by the Cavs when I didn't even realize they are on a 7-game winning streak after Friday's 94-73 win at Indiana. They have won four games without Williams and West. Granted, two were against lowly Minnesota and Indiana, but they also had two solid victories at Miami and against Oklahoma City. They are an NBA-best 19-8 on the road, and have won nine of 10 overall. There is a real sense the team has not peaked yet, which should be good news come playoff time.

About the Indians

Steve Nesius / Associated PressCould Russell Branyan find his way back to the Indians? 1. Russell Branyan (.251, 31 HRs, 76 RBI, .867 OPS) is still a free agent as Seattle is not expected to re-sign the former Indians. Yes, he had his usual huge strikeout totals (149 in 431 at-bats), but the Indians may bring him to camp if Branyan finds no team is offering a multiyear deal. He's 34 years old. One drawback would be that Branyan is yet another left-handed hitter on a team loaded with them. Worth considering is Branyan batted .280 before the All-Star break, .193 after in 145 at-bats. While he came up as a third baseman, he is now exclusively a first baseman. He had back problems the last few months of the season, which may scare off many teams.

2. One reason the Indians are talking about Branyan is Matt LaPorta, who says all is well and expects to be ready for spring training after toe and hip surgery. But the Indians don't want to rush him. Doctors said it would take at least four months, and as long as six months, to recover from the October operations.

3. When it comes to the starting rotation, nothing is in ink. But as spring training opens, three pitchers are at least in dark pencil: Jake Westbrook, Fausto Carmona and Justin Masterson. Only an injury would knock them out, unless Carmona simply can't throw a strike. Next comes this group of four: David Huff, Aaron Laffey, Jeremy Sowers and Mitch Talbot. From that group of seven, they hope to find a starting five.

4. But it's possible that someone from this group could have a hot spring and earn a spot: Hector Rondon, Carlos Carrasco and Jeanmar Gomez. The basic plan is for all three to open at Class AAA Columbus and see which one emerges as a candidate to move up and take a rotation spot. The oldest is Carrasco at 23. The best arm may belong to Rondon, the 21-year-old right-hander who was 11-10 with a 3.38 ERA between Class AA Akron and Columbus. He had 137 strikeouts in 146 minor-league innings.

5. Erie native Tony Pasquale e-mailed that Tribe fans should pay attention to Jason Grilli, who signed a minor-league deal with the Indians. It's a good point. The 33-year-old right-hander was a discouraging 2-3 with a 5.32 ERA between Texas and Colorado last season. But in the four previous years, mostly with Detroit, his ERAs were 3.00; 4.74; 4.21 and 3.38. He is the kind of reliever who can bounce back and have a decent season.

Follow Us

cleveland.com is powered by Plain Dealer Publishing Co. and Northeast Ohio Media Group. All rights reserved (About Us).The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Northeast Ohio Media Group LLC.